I don't know the first thing about skydiving. Are you only allowed to jump in a designated drop zone? If a friend wanted to jump out of my plane could I let them?

I know I can legally fly the Luscombe with the passenger door removed and I've seen video of a person jumping out of a Luscombe but I don't know what it takes to do it legally on a regular basis.

Its 100% legal. File a NOTAM several hours prior and drop them over a non congested area. Your good to go. We jump often here in Tahoe and do just that.

Also make certain to have all you weight and balance details in order with seat, door removal etc. You also must keep seat belts in for them. Its pretty damn fun watching people jump out if your not jumping with them...Let them climb on the wing, hold onto the strut, etc.

One thing you should have though is a parachute on you as the pilot for the "just in case" scenario. You don't want a guy wrapped around your tail (early deployment).

There are others on here that will give yo additional beta I am certain.

AKT

Reading over all of FAR Part 105 would be a good idea if you haven't already.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... 3.17.1.9.6

As a jumper training pilot for the SDSU Skydiving team during the fall and spring of '72,'73 and '74 I dropped 384 from a gutless, easily overloaded 1961 Skyhawk, 145hp. Right door and rear seats removed. One was on the floor beside me, two in the back. Before the first flight I was told to always carry a very sharp hunting knife within reach to cut the static line should it tangle and not open the student's chute. All jumps were solo static line in those days until you could pull your own. It was not possible to land with him hanging down there, so I was prepared to cut his line. He could still open his reserve chute. Directions to the jumpers were to get feet out the door with hands moving from door posts to strut, left foot on gear step then pull into position with the right foot on the wheel while I held the brakes at 80 mph into the wind. Lean forward with both hands on the strut, then kick back with both feet and push off the strut hard and arch spread eagled. Never lost one, no one ever fell and I never cut one off the static line but one broke a few bones on landing once. As for using my own plane I would not. Safety trumps every consideration you can have for the upholstery and interior and the paint on loading and getting out. It was abusive to the plane. Even a four place is cramped with you both wearing a chute and it flies cockeyed with the door open. Even with signed waivers, I wasn't smart enough at 19 to even think about liability issues and I doubt they were either.

Ive been flying loads for about 15 years . Luscom is kinda small so be careful of that . It's a no brainer pull that door off and set your buddy free!If you need the phone # that you need to call for the Notam let me know.I can give you a quick briefing on what they will want and in what order if you would like. As long as your buddy has a solid understanding of what he is doing it is not a big deal.whatever you do , please wear a parachute yourself.In most small planes it is required and a REALLY good idea. I'll PM you my cell# if you would like. ...... Mike

Struts on a Luscombe are pretty thin, made for tension/compression loads. I dunno if I'd want someone hanging on one, might bend pretty easily with that much drag if they got out too far. Thoughts?

Mike, I'll let you know when I am ready. Sounds like I better get some training myself if I'm going to wear a parachute. I'll have to call the DZ in twin falls and find out what it costs to get qualed for a solo jump.

L-19 wrote:Struts on a Luscombe are pretty thin, made for tension/compression loads. I dunno if I'd want someone hanging on one, might bend pretty easily with that much drag if they got out too far. Thoughts?

Aren't all struts design for only compression/tension loads?? I've got metal wings and I don't think the strut is any thinner than that of a comparable Cessna.